The artwork, titled “Before the Thunderstorm,” was created by Isaac Levitan in 1893 in the Russian Federation. Executed with pencil on paper, this piece falls within the Realism art movement and fits the genre of sketch and study.
The artwork depicts a serene yet ominous landscape, as dark, looming clouds gather overhead, signaling the imminent onset of a thunderstorm. In the foreground, there is an array of trees and possibly small buildings or structures that provide depth and context to the scene. The horizon is marked by a body of water, which reflects the brooding sky above. The subtle gradient of pencil marks demonstrates Levitan’s meticulous attention to the transitioning atmosphere, effectively capturing the serene tension that precedes a storm. The overall composition invites the viewer to appreciate the delicate balance between tranquility and the raw power of nature about to be unleashed.
